Producer

Ad Astra Kitchen is a small scale (and growing) made-from-scratch bakery that focuses on sustainable practices and supporting a healthier world through high quality breads, pastries, baking mixes, and more. Ingredients are sourced with the earth and its people in mind: nearly all the flour I use is grown and/or milled locally, I only use fairly traded chocolate and cocoa, and nearly all produce is local to the region. I place a strong emphasis on reducing ‘food miles,’ or the distance the components of a food have traveled from start to finish. I prioritize organic and/or regeneratively grown ingredients, and aim to primarily support other small businesses and avoid giving dollars to amoral corporations. Packaging is typically compostable (often home compostable), recyclable, reusable, or made from recycled materials. I make an effort to recycle, reuse, or repurpose and try to keep waste minimal.

I am inspired by the zero-waste slogan ‘a million people doing it imperfectly.’ I am not perfect and I don’t expect anyone else to be, however I feel strongly that our collective efforts can create large-scale change. Ad Astra Kitchen is my effort to create change and I appreciate every single one of my customers for supporting this effort.

I currently operate out of the Port of South Whidbey's commercial kitchen at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds in Langley.

I source grains and produce primarily from local and regional farms and producers, and also grow produce and herbs on a very small scale. I use stone-milled whole grain flour from Chimacum Valley Grainery, Cairnspring Mills, and Fairhaven Mill in nearly everything I make. Since the entire grain is used and the flour is unrefined (never bleached or enriched flour in my kitchen!), more of the natural fiber, vitamins, and minerals are retained. When local sourcing isn’t feasible, I prioritize other small businesses, co-ops, worker-owned collectives, and companies with demonstrated ethical practices. I get a little excited about researching the companies I support, so email me or come see me at a market sometime and ask! Due to the commonality of slavery within the mainstream chocolate industry, which I oppose, I am committed to only using fair and direct trade chocolate and cocoa in my baked goods.

I welcome customer feedback, questions, and product requests. You can email me at adastrawhidbey@gmail.com.